Museeuw, Peers and Planckaert never tested positive for banned substances, but an investigation into the veterinarian Jo Landuyt (who admitted to supplying performance enhancing products to numerous riders) concluded that there was a enough evidence for them to be sanctioned. All three received a two year ban from cycling and a 10,000 Chf (Swiss franc) fine. Museeuw has already retired, however, he will not be able to take a position as a team manager during the suspension. For Peers and Planckaert it almost certainly means retirement, since both are in their mid-30s.

Meirhaeghe tested positive for EPO after a surprise test conducted in Canada around the time of the Mont Ste Anne World Cup, and subsequently retired after admitting usage of EPO received a 15 month ban and a 5000 Chf fine. Meirhaeghe was the world champion at the time, and was leading the World Cup series. In addition, he was one of the favourites to win the Olympic gold medal in Athens. His relatively short suspension means that he will be able to resume racing in 2006, and Meirhaeghe has stated that he may reconsider his retirement. The "light" sentence was imposed since it was his first offence and because he had shown "remorse" for his actions.

Join us at Mark James Fiascos Restaurant (2486 Bayswater, Vancouver) from 6.30 pm for this celebration of the 2004 BC cycling season. Cycling BC's Athletes, Coaches, Club and Volunteers of the Year will be recognized followed by the premiere of Emorphic Productions BC Cup Mountain Bike Video, filmed on location at the 2004 BC Cup Championship Series. Road Super Week and BMX footage will also be screened.

Cycling BC General Members and Licence holders are eligible to vote. Get involved in the future of your sport - come along and have your say!

*** Saturday, November 6 ***

Road & Mountain Bike 2005 Event Organizers Conferences

Room 106, 1367 West Broadway, Vancouver

Are you planning on hosting a road or mountain bike event in 2005? Don't miss the Organizer's Meetings on Nov 6. (Road from 9.30-1 pm, MTB from 2-4pm). Meetings are mandatory for BC Cup Organizers and recommended for all other organizers. The Mountain Bike Meeting will also include a presentation on insurance.

*** Sunday, November 7, 1-5 pm ***

The Dizzy Chicks present ... Stay on Track: A Holistic Approach to the Science of Cycling

Langara College, 100 West 49th St, Vancouver

Join the "Chicks" for an afternoon of fun and lots of interesting information geared towards the training needs of female cyclists. Everyone welcome - the clinic is open to both women and men. Coaches of female athletes are encouraged to attend.

That's right - it's INDOOR!! No rain outs, no excuses... Never raced BMX before?? No worries, come along and get started Ã‹â€ there's practice nights, coaching nights and races all lined up. For info see www.abbotsfordbmx.ca or call Gary Harder (604) 302-3639.

October 24, 2004, at Hugh John Fleming Forestry Complex, Top of Regent Street, races start/end near greenhouses. All welcome, come try it out! Mountain bikes are allowed in some categories. Info on "What is Cyclo-Cross?" and rules at veloNB website.

Race goes rain, snow or shine, course will be marked during Saturday. Prizes/cash dependant upon number of entries. Awards at 2:30 pm or earlier. Information contact Eric 506-474-0422 Eric.Hadley@gnb.ca or Matt at ehadley@nb.sympatico.caÃ‚Â or 506-474-0422

Sponsor: Radical Edge -- Event sanctioned by VeloNB Flyer and Registration form will be posted on VeloNb Web site on October 13. www.velo.nb.ca

Ontario Cycling CelebrationCourtesy OCA

Mark November 20th down on your calendars! On that night, the OCA will be hosting the 5th annual Cycling Celebration. This year, it will be held in conjunction with the CCA's Annual General Meeting (taking place from the 19th to 22nd in Toronto). This event will be a great opportunity to celebrate the year and meet and mingle with Ontario and Canada's cycling community.

To date, the OCA has received confirmation that Olympic silver medallist Marie-Helene Premont will be attending the festivities at the Olympic Spirit in Downtown Toronto.

Tickets for this evening will be going on sale in two weeks and will be sold through the OCA office. All proceeds from the night will be going towards the development of the OCA's Junior Racing and Sprockids programs. Curt Harnett will be the master of ceremonies.

The TeenSpeed Cycling Club is looking for enthusiastic ride leaders and coaches who care about providing positive leadership and fitness opportunities for youth. If you can facilitate a fun environment for kids aged 10-18 to learn how to ride their bikes better and participate in regular exercise activities you can help fulfill our mandate of developing future bike racers and getting kids off the PlayStations and on the trails.

On Saturday (October 2nd) I decided to head down to Michigan and try to get some UCI points . I went down with St. Catharines CC rider Lesley Honsberger who was racing the women's race at 11. So we packed up the car and headed out at 6 am in the pouring rain for 4 hours, not a very exciting ride down. However, It stopped raining just as we got to the course and the sun came out and the course actually dried up very quickly, due to the 30 kilometer plus winds.

The course was wide open and with one barrier run up, one unrideable sandpit and one natural log barrier, which to my dismay some of the top elite riders could bunny hop at good speed. Even though it was fairly flat and grassy it was quite rough and really beat you up.

The gun went off for Lesley's race and she got a good start and was sitting in a chase group of 4 behind 2 leaders. As the 4 chasers realized they were not getting up to the leaders thier pace fell a bit and the cat and mouse games started. They rode the rest of the race together with no real attacks, until a half a lap to go when Lesley attacked on the uphill barrier and held a 5 meter gap for around 2 mins. until the three gave up thier chase and started to set up for the sprint for 4th. Lesley rolled to the line for 3rd and some well earned UCI points. Up front the two leaders battled it out for 3 laps until 1st place Christine Vardaros (Velo Bella) finally broke away for he solo win with 2nd place Anne Schwartz easily holding off the chase group of 4.

The elite race started quite fast with 25 riders at the line and with some solid racers it was a dog fight to the first corner. I did not get called to the line but got a good holeshot from the 2nd row and managed to get into 2nd place and ride with Jeff Wienart (Cane Creek) for a lap until we hit the log barrier and he did a nice bunny hop over it and got a good gap I could not close. After 2 laps I was riding with Ben Turner (TIAA-CREF) and we were making good time and had a solid gap on the chasers behind but I hit a corner a little too fast and went down hard. It took me a while to get my bearing and by then I sat in 5th but just could not put any power on the pedals for a lap and when I finally got my bars bent back down and my senses functioning I was in a group of 4 fighting for 7th.

There was big gap between our group and the others up front so we just rode a good tempo. I tried some attacks with 2 laps to go, but I would get nailed back after a minute or so. By the last lap of the race I felt a lot better and just followed any attacks and sat 2nd wheel going into the last km. I attacked hard with 800 m to go on a 180 and held on for 7th. The winner of the race was Jeff Wienart who looked extremly good and smooth on the day. Ben Turner diesled his way up to 2nd with Phil Noble (Airborne) rounding out the podium.

It was a great race put on by Tailwind Enterprises and the day cooperated with only the 2 early races not getting sunshine.

Michael Heintzman continued his winning ways as he won the third cyclo-cross of the season, Thursday night. He completed 9 laps in the 30-minute time limit. Pat Ferris was second, Gary Hilderman third and Sam Keats 4th, also at nine laps.

Darren Guliov was 5th at 8 laps in the 30-minute time. Adam Currie was 6th and Barb Polehoykie 7th. Mike Hientzman leads the series with a perfect record of three wins and 15 points. Sunday is cyclo-cross race # 2 at Beatton River Flats at 2 p.m.